Hurricane Hector path takes Category 3 storm closest to Hawaii today

Hurricane Hector continued to track south of Hawaii on Wednesday while weakening a bit.

Forecast confidence is high on Hector's continued westward path, and a tropical storm warning was dropped for Hawaii County, which could be affected by the northern fringes of the storm. However, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center believes the wind threat has decreased for the islands.

As of 5 p.m. HST Wednesday (10 p.m. CDT), the center of Hurricane Hector was located about 235 miles south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii, and was moving west at 16 mph.

On that forecast path Hector will pass several hundred miles south of the main Hawaiian islands through early Thursday, the hurricane center said.

Hector was a Category 3 hurricane but had weakened slightly on Wednesday. Its top winds were 115 mph. Forecasters said little chance in strength is expected and Hector should remain a powerful storm through Thursday.

The hurricane center said hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from Hector's eye, and tropical storm force winds reach out 90 miles.

Hector is churning up the seas near Hawaii. Forecasters said waves from Hector will affect parts of the main Hawaiian islands into Thursday.

"Surf heights near 20 feet were reported on the southeast side of the Big Island Wednesday afternoon," the hurricane center said.

The worst of Hector's weather was staying well offshore of Hawaii's Big Island on Wednesday. (NOAA)

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